Automobile fuel-tank.



C. T. BOYER.

AUTOMOBILE FUEL TANK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-l7, 1914.

1,150,332. Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

2 $HEETS-SHEET 1.

iii

ATTORNEY.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0.,\VASHXNUTON, D. c.

C. T. BOYER.

AUTOMOBILE FUEL TANK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 17. 1914.

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W1 TNESSES:

A TTOR NE Y.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (IO-.WASHINGTDN. D C.

' Indianapolis,

@FFEQE.

CHARLES 1 Borne, or INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

AUTOMOBILE FUEL-TANK.

Application filed August 17, 1914; Serial N 0. 857,064.

To all "whom it'may concern."

Be it known that 1, CHARLES 'I. 'Bornn, a citizen of the UnitedStatearesiding at State of Indiana, have invented a new and usefulAutomobile F uel-Tank, ofwhich the following is a specification,reference being bad rtoithe accompanying drawings, and to the-lettersandfigures of "reference marked tl1ereon." V

This invention relates to tanks or reservoirs in which liquids may bestored to be drawn off as may be required, the invention ',drawing offthe liquid.

having reference more particularly to a closed tank of such constructionas to be adapted to permitthe liquid to be drawn off,

. but'preventing the drawingofi' of the liquid by unauthorized persons,more especially when the tank is made use "of for supplying liquid fuelto an automobile engine; and the invention hasreference' also to asafetyautomobile fuel tank involving means which, in case the tank isaccidentally turned over to abnormal position, shall automatically actto prevent the flow of fuel into the delivery pipe connectingthe tankwith the engine of the automobile. a j t An object of the invention isto provide an improved tank or reservoir of such construction as to'b'eadapted, to hold or deliver liquid at the will of the owner orauthorized user, and prevent unauthorized persons from Another object isto provide an improved automobile fuel tank withan outlet or stop valve,and controllingmeans therefor which shall permit the fuel to be fed fromthe tank as required and whereby the flow or feeding of the fuel may bepositively prevented excepting through the use of a special or peculiarkey, to the endthatltheft ofthe automobile or unauthorized use thereofmay be prevented by deprivingthe engine of the automobile'of fuelthrough the usual channel.

A further object is to provide locking means for the inlet orfilling'opening closure of a fuel tank for the purpose of preventingtheft of the fuel through the filling opening.

A still-further objectis to provide an outlet valve and controllingmeans therefor-{for anautomobile fuel tank, which shall automaticallyact to close the valve in case the automobile is accidentally turnedover to a considerable extent from its normal posi- Specification ofLetters Patent.

in the county of Marion and ratented Aug. 17, 1915.

"tion, for preventing the escape and ignition ofthe fuel with consequentoccupants ofthe automobile.

danger to the With the above-mentioned and other ob- J ects 111 V ew,the invention consists in a tank or reservoir of the closed typeprovided with an internal outlet valve having both auto matic and manualcontrol, and having also an inlet or intake aperture and a closuretherefor provided with means for locking the closure in closed positionafter receiving the'fu'el, the locking means and valve controlling meansbeing inclosed within the tank so as to be inaccessible from theexterior but controllable by means'of a key at the exterior of'the tank.

The invention consists also further in the novel parts, and in thecombinations and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter particularlydescribed and further defined in the accompanying claims.

eferring to the drawings,-Figure l is an-elevation of an automobileexplosion engine and the improved fuel tank of rectangular formconnected therewith and arranged as may be convenient inconnection withan automobile shown by broken lines; Fig. 2 is a side or normal rearelevation of the improved tank partially broken away to expose internalapparatus thereof; ,Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a part of theapparatusas preferably constructed; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectionalelevation on the line AA on Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation onthe line B B on Fig.2 showing the weight removed from the carrier; Fig.6 is a fragmentary section and topplan taken beneath the top of thetank; F ig.7 is a fragmentary section on the line 0 Con Fig. 5; Fig. 8is aperspective view of connected elements of the internal apparatus ofthe tank; Fig. 9 is a'fragmentary sectional elevation approximately onthe line D D on Fig. a side elevation of one form lock adapted for 7;Fig. 10 is of a part of the the purpose of the invention; Fig. 11 is anend elevation of a cylindrical form oftank 0r reservoir constructed alsoin accordance with the invention; Fig.

12 is a sectional View on the line E E on Fig.

11; Fig. 18 is a perspective-view of a modified form of outlet valvestem; Fig. 1-1 is a fragmentary inverted plan view showing a modifiedform of closure locking means applied as shown more completely in Fig.12; Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the improved lock bolt forefiecting the locking-of the outlet valve and the intake closure; "Fig.16 is a perspective View of a modified form of valve cage; Fig-. l-7 isa side view of'a V 5 modified form of lock bolt; Fig.18 is alongitudinal vertical section of a" cylindrical type of tank in whichthe internal apparatus thereof is differently arranged from that shownin Fig. 12; and,- F ig.;l9.is arr-end 1o elevation of the precedingfigure.

., Similar reference character n .the different figures of the drawings'i ndicatecorresponding elements} or features of construc- .ti he i a frre l t y:

n aipractical, r ali at' n of he nve tio various forms of'tanks orreservoirs may be provided a as be required and the intake and theoutlet may be variously arranged with respect to the normal bottom; ortop zo or -the wall of the tank. Asapplied-toan automobile "engine theengine {is connectl with arsuitablenntakewhich usually is suppliedthrough a carbureter 2 to whicha sapi ysrirw on d i s tan .25 when ofrectangular form,cornprises a bottom 4, side walls or plates 5 and 6,relatively 'small'end' walls and 'SHanda top 9, ,a; convenient portion.of the top having a at suitable intake or receiving aperture pro- S0vidcd with a neck ring or mouthpiece 110 onto which a closure cap 11 isscrewed, and

j ed, preferablyiby means o'fa small vent-hole 1$ in-the cap,

' Preferably a lieycontrolled lock is employed, andwhen it isfdesired'to positively hold'the outlet valve of thetank in closed 7 v:position by means of the look a suitable 'frame lh is providedwhich ispreferably of tabular form and adapted to constitute a valve cage andalso support the valve-controlling apparatus, and a suitablefoot member16 is: suitably secured to the normal F lower end ofthe frame andadapted'to and secured to the bottom portion of the tank, themember-having a nipple 17 thereon that .esiten'dsthrough the bottomportion and has a duct 18the'r'ein at the upper or inner-end of whichis: avalve seat 19, the supply pipe 3 when an engine is tobe suppliedbeing connected to the nipple. The valve cage portion ofthe-framehasapertures 20 therelin'for the passage of the liquid from the tank to thevalve seatythe apertures preferably beingprovided with a valverprotectmgjscreen 21.

v 'The iipper'portion of the frame 15 is provided-with ag-uide and theframe is proivide'd "also with a guiding smarts 28 at a suitabledistance above the lower end of the frame. 'The frame has also anotherguiding" partition 24: betweenthe guide 22 and the partition 23. 7

The upper'end of the frame has a stand yard 25 thereon provided with aguide 26 arranged above the guide 22, thelframe having also a journalbox 27 thereon.

" Between the partitions 23 and 24the-wall of the frame 15. has anaperture 28 and also .ears provided with a. fulcrum pinr30. I Preferablythe wall has alsoasuitable num bier ofopenings 31 therein suitablyarranged, In order'to steady. the frame a suitablebrace 32 1s secured tothe upper portlon or standard 25 and alsoto the innerside of thetopportion 0'f=the tank. A suitable valve stem 33 isprovided whiclr isvertically guided in, thelguiding partitions 23 and 2 1 and hasa'valve3l on its lowerend to cooperate with thevalve seatl9 and close the duct18, the'stemex V tending a suitable distanceabove the parti-' tion 24.The stem has a collar 35 fixed thereon so as to be normally on a planeabove the apertures 20 and hasa coil'spring 86 1 seatedthereon which ismade" of suitable strength and is seated on theunder side" of ,thepartition 23 whereby to automatically losethe valve and hold iton itsseat. 2

In order that the valve may be'opened and held open topermit flow'of theliquid 7 from the tankfthe7stem33 is provided with a suitablecontrolling collarjor device 37 with which is'conn'ected .a lever 38that is supported between its ends on the fulcrum pin'SO, and the outerportion of the lever has fingers 39 thereonwhich normally carry 7 a ballor spherical weight; 40 adapted to overbalance tl1espri'ng3b' and liftthe valve from its seat, the weight preferably having an eye or ringlljthereon. thatjmay be engaged by "a wire rod inserted through theintake opening in orderto replace the weight onto the fingersaftei-"havingbeen displaced. In I some casesfhowever, a chain 42 isconnectedto the eye or ring 41 and securedto ft'he upper portionof thetank, preferably'to the-neck ring :10 whereby to conveniently replace"the weight onto the controlling lever of the valve, For the purpose ofpositively "forcing the valve" to the seat and locking it in closedposition, a valve-controller "4:3 'is provided which preferably is inthe form ofa rack bar having teeth is 'and'slidingly' stem 38, andobviously may be connected to the'stem inxorder'to lift the latter, incase it is'not desired 'to'make use'of weighting devicesand connectionsfor lifting the valve and acting as a safety appliance for per-Imittingthe valve to'be automatically closed- In the preferable construcby its spring.

tion the weighting device causes the valve tightly set stem to followthe Controller when the latter is elevated to permit the opening of thevalve. A shaft45 is rotatably mounted in the journal box 27 andhas awheel 46 fixed thereomone portion of the wheel hav ing'gear teeth 47thereon so that a gear segment is provided, the teeth 47 being inengagement with the teeth 44. A toothed wheel or segment 48 is fixedalso on the shaft '45 for rotating or holding the shaft. A lock case 49is secured to theinner side ofa suitable portion of thetank and issuitably designed so that a portion of the casing is into a suitableaperture in the wall of the tank. Thelocking mechanism may be variouslyconstructed and may com prise a rack bar form of lock bolt 50 'suittank,

'mits the weight to lift the valve aperture 12 formed ably guided in thelock case and projecting therefrom into connection with the wheel orsegment 48, the lock bolt having an eccentric hook or der 52 rotatablyguidedin the lock case and to prevent leakage to the exterior'of the andmay'ha've air-eccentric 53 thereon that extends into the eccentricstrap, the cylinder being designed to turn forward or backward one-halfof a revolution only so as to positively hold the lock bolt in eitherprojected or retracted viously the lock bolt erated' and controlled.

The cylinder 52 has a keyway 54 therein and the lock mechanism issuitably designed so as to require a'key that could not readily beduplicated, and preferably the cylinder 52 has a separate and freelyrotatable outer end portion 55 having a keyway 56 to make it diflicultto turn the. cylinder by other means than the proper key. 1 The keywayis accessible from the exterior of the tank and when a key is insertedin the keyway and the cylinder rotated by means of the key in the properdirection, the shaft 45 is rotated so that the controller 43 is elevatedand per- 34 from its seat for permitting the feeding of the fuel. Whenthe lock cylinder is turned intheopposite direction'the controller iscaused to move downward and forcethe-valve to its seat against theopposition of the weight. For the purpose of locking the intakecloposition, although obmay be otherwise opsure, preferablysimultaneously with the looking of the outlet valve in closed position,a locking bar 57 isslidingly guided in the cap, and preferably itcarried on anarm 58 which is fixed to a rod 59 that is'slidinglymounted; in a supporting bearing 60W1tl1 lwhich the frame 15 isprovided, the rod havmay strap '51 thereon. The lockmechanism maysuitably comprise a cylinguided in the guideway I in the neck ring 10and 1s projectabl'e into the recess 13 in the closure extending over a 1guide sheave the top portion of the tank, as

the Wheel 46, so that a partial rotation of the wheel causeslongitudinalmovement of the locking bar 57, the arrangement being suchthat when the valve stem 33 is forced downward the locking bar isprojected and locks the cap against removal, thus preventing the removalof the liquid by means of a pump or a siphon through the intake openmg.i

In some cases a cylindrical form of tank ispreferred, or such form asmay be other than rectangular, such as a shell 64 and heads 65 and 66,in which case the lock case may be modified so asto be adapted to thecurvature of the shell and connected to the upper portion thereof, asillustrated in Fig. 12, in which case a keyhole cover 67 may beprovided; however, in some cases the lock be connected to the head orvertical wall of the tank, as shown in Figs. 18 and 19.

In some cases it may be necessary or desirable to locate the outletvalve and the look a considerable distance apart, as illustrated inFigs; 12 and 18," so that a connection of considerable length may berequired between the valve and the lock, or for other reasons slightmodifications may be desired as to the controlling apparatus of theoutlet valve, in which case a relatively small frame 68 having apertures69 therein so as to be adapted for a valve cage is provided andconnected to the member 16, the latterbeing constructed and arrangedwith respect to the bottom portion of the tank as herein beforedescribed; The frame 68 includes a top guide portion 70 having aguideway 71 therein, the top portion being provided also with an ear orfulcrum stand 72 provided with a fulcrum pin 7 3. A valve stem 74 is 71and has the valve 34 on its lowerend to cooperate with the valve seat19, the stem having also a spider or open-work collar 75 fixed thereonwhich is movably guided in the frame 68 and on which a coil spring 7 6is seated, the spring being seated on the under side of the'guideportion 70 of the frame through which the valve stem extends. Theupperportion of the stem preferably is provided with a pivot pin'77 that isengaged by a lever 78 similar a chain 80. being connected to the lockbolt and the'eye or ring 41 of the weight and 81 supported inner side ofillustrated in Fig. 12, in which case the strap 51 suitably by a hanger82 secured to the spring 76 the upper portlon of the tank,

being guided also by a sheave 81 supported has a rod 83: fixed thereonthat is; guided in the lock case 49 and has an arm 84; thereon extendinglaterally in the properdirection to reach into the necklO, the armhaving a lock bolt 85 thereon that is guided in the 'is connected to thelock bolt 7 9 and also with the weight and extends over a guide sheave81 supported by a hanger 82 secured to the cham by a hanger, 82 that issecured to the upper portion of the tank above the position of the lockcase 4:9 which is illustrated as being mounted on a vertical portion :ofthe tank, and a sleeve 86 is secured tothe chain 80 andhas an arm 87thereon that extends into the neck 10 and carries a lock bolt 88 that isV guided in the aperture 12 and projectable 25 into the recess 13, whenthe chain is pulled by the lock bolt 7 9 so as to lift the weight 40 andpermit the valveto be closed. In, some cases a rod lock bolt 88.

other modifications than those shown and described may be made in thevarious details of construction of the tank and the apparatus therein,within the scope of the appended claims. It will be obvious that thelock will be placed as near the top as possible when on a vertical walland may. be adapted to prevent leakage of the liquid therethrough.

It. should be understood also thatthe specilie arrangement of the.outlet valve described and the relative arrangement of the controllingapparatus therefor may be varied, and therefore the appliances maybearranged and controlled substantially as-described for closing anyopening communicating between the interior and exterior of the tank.

In practical use the authorized-person'applies his key to thelock andturns it so'as to operate the lock bolt in theproper direc- .lllOIl topermit the valve-opening weight to open the valve, the weight beingnormally carried by the lever that isv connected with the valve stem,,and when the valve is open it willbe understood that thecap 11 isunlocked so that it may be removed, and after l'iaving been removed, thelock may be operated to permit the valve .tobe closed .while the tank isbeing refilled or replenished with fuel. Whenthe automobile is inoperation and the fuel fed to the. engine by the outlet valve 89 isconnected'to the arm 87, or a to thechain, and has a spring 90eonnectedthereto which is suitably. anchored so as to retract the chain andthereby retract the provided the. recess,

the valve 34:, in! ease-oi an accident causing When. the automobileisnot m use the lock may be 'zqui'cklyoperated so as to permit .to beclosed and simulta neouslypnoject the lockb'olt forxlock'ing the intake;closure and thus prevent the automobile from being used, while alsopreventing the theft, of the fuel;

1 It will be understood that in case the liquiid-containingtankisoverturned, if it has 4 a venthole to prevent formation of vacuum in thetankunder normalfconditions, the automatically closedaoutlet valve Wlll.prevent entrance of air 1nto the tank andatherefore automatically aicttoprevent liquid from fiowng out of thevent-hole when the portion of thetankhaving the vent-holeisunv dermostg. and ,..also,..incase' a coverfor an opening in the upper portion of the tank is provlded, theCOVGIfiOlQVlOllSlY.W1ll prevent flow or leakage of the liquid? from theopening when the tank is overturned.

Having thus described the inventiomwhat 11s clalmed as new,.1s.,

1. A fuel tank having an automatically closing outlet'valve, andexternally-controllab'le gravity means inclosedein the tank for openingor permittingthe' closing of the valve. v

2.. A fuel tank having an internal outlet valve, andexternally-controllable means including spring and gravity devicesinclosed in the tank for moving. and holding the valve in closed or. inopen position.

A fuel tank having an. external inlet closure and an. internal outletvalve, and lock-controlled means Within the tank for locking the closurein closed position and closing and holding the valvein closedposition i7 q 4:; A fuel tank havingan. externallyfremovable intake closureadapted to be locked,

an externally controllable lock supported Wltlllll the tank, and lockingmeans movably inclosed. within the tank and controlled by the look forlocking the closure in closing position.

5.. A fuel tank ternally controllable: locking -means inachaving aninlet; closure Wl'tllfl. recess, a controllable'lockn a external 'inlet1 valve from i the seat cessibly'inclosed Within the tank forsimultaneously locking the closure and closing in, a valve to cooperatewith the seat, a.

spring yiel-dingly holding the valve to the seat, and aweight deviceremovably applied to the valve for lifting and holding the valve from,the seat in opposition to the spring.

8. A fuel tank having an outlet valveseat, a valve movably guided tocooperate with the seat, a controllable lock supported by the tank, andmeans including a shiftable gravity device cooperating with the valveand controlled by the lock for moving the valve to or from the seat.

9. A fuel tank having a valve seat, a valve guided to cooperate with theseat, a spring for yieldingly moving'and holdingthe valve to the seat,and a gravity weight device applied to the valve for overcoming theforceof the spring and movingand holding the and provided with a controllingchain.

10. A fuel tank having a valve seat there in, a valve operative to coverthe seat, a spring for yieldingly holding the valve to the seat, aweight device applied to the valve for lifting and yieldingly holdingthe valve from the seat in. opposition to the spring, and manuallycontrolled locking means for movingand holding the valve to the seat inopposition to the weight device.

11. A fuel tank having an external inlet closure and an internal outletvalve, externally-controllable locking means inaccessibly inclosed inthe tank for simultaneously locking the closure and closing and holdingthe valve in closed position, and means'automatically acting, when thelocking means are retracted to unlocking position for opening the valveand when the tank is turned over to abnormal position, to close and holdthe valve in closed position.

. 12. A fuel tank having an opening in the inclosing structure thereof,a valve movably guided for closing the opening and provided with agravity weight device for moving and holding the valve to open position,the weight device being removable from operative position relative tothe valve by the force of gravity on turning of the tank from normal toabnormal position, and a spring operating to automatically close thevalve on removal of the Weight device from its operative position.

18. A fuel tank including a casing frame having a valve seat therein, avalve stem movably guided in the frame and having a valve to cooperatewith the seat, a lever pivoted between its ends to the frame andconnected at one end with the valve stem, a weight device carried by theopposite end portion of the lever for opening the valve force of thedevice matically and provided with means for-removing the from thelever, and a spring cooperating with the frame to autoclose the valve onremoval of the force of the weight device.

14. A fuel tank including a cage frame having a valve seat, a valve stemmovably guided in the frame and having a valve opposite the seat, alever fulcrumed between its ends onthe frame, one end of the lever beingconnected with the stem, the opposite end of the lever having aball-holder, a weighting ball re'movably retained in the ball-holder formoving and holding the valve from the seat, anda spring cooperating withthe frame and the valve stem for automatically moving and holding thevalve to the seat on removal of the weight from the weightholder of thelever.

15. The combination with an explosion engine, a fuel tank having anintake pro vided with a movable closure, an outlet provided with amovable closure, and a supply pipe connected with the outlet and theengine, ofv a plurality of movable connecting appliances operativelyconnected together and controlling the movement of the closures andoperating to. prevent the opening of both the intake and the outlet, theconnecting appliances being inclosed with-in the tank, and lockingmechanism supported in the tank to be accessible exteriorly to the tankand operatively connected with and controlling the plurality ofconnecting appliances.

16. A receptacle for holding fluids having intake and outlet aperturesprovided with closures respectively, in combination with a lockingappliance supported by the receptacle, and means inclosed within the.receptacle and controlled by the locking appliance in cooperation withall the closures, for effectually preventing the opening of both theintake and the outlet apertures 17 A receptacle for holding fluidshaving intake and outlet apertures provided with movable means forclosing or opening the apertures synchronously controlled to preventopening of the apertures by locking mechanism and connecting apparatushaving operative connection with the locking mechanism.

18. The combination of an explosion engine, a fuel tank for supplyingthe engine, and movable means inclosed in the tank automatically actingto stop and continue to prevent the supply of fuel to the engine whenthe engine and the tank are turned over to any abnormal position.

19. In a liquid-container, the combination with a tank having anaperture in the wall thereof, of a neck ring for the aperture connectedto the tank and having a guideway in the wall thereof, a closure screwedto the neck ring and having a recess in the wall thereof, a lock boltmovably supported in w the tank and projectable or retractable affectedby the force .neoted from the valve when the tank is matically' movingthrough the guidevvay and into'or out of the recess, and means mountedin the tank operatively connected with the lock bolt for controlling themovement thereof. V 20. In aliquid-container, the comblnation with anormally supported tank having an aperture in the Wall thereof providedWith a' valve seat, of a valve 'movably guided to coeperate With theseat for closing the ape'r ture and provided With a holding deviceremovably connected operatively With a the or opening theapert'ure andprovided With a controlling device, locl'iin'g mechanism supported bythe tank, and a series of appliances niovably mounted in thetank and 0perativ'ely connected With the locking mechanism and the controllingdevice for effecting the secure holding of the valve in closed position,one ofthe appliances being With drawable from operative action on thedevice for permitting independent movement of the valve to'lcloee' theaperture, the valve being provided With means Within the tank Copies ofthis patent mey be obtained for tion' ofthe valve, the

five cents eachyby addressing the Washington", D. G'.

acting automatically when unrestrained to move the valve to close theaperture.

22. In. a portable liquid-container, the

combination with tank provided in its normal lower portion with anautomaticallycloslng outlet valve and in itsupper portion withanaperture through Which fluid may ofa'. holding device removablyconpass, nected operative'ly with the valvefor normally controlling andholding the valve in open positlon in opposition to automatic'a'coverturned to: abnormal position and auto-- matically disconnectedfrom control of the valve to permit the automatic action for closingaperture."

' In a portable combination of a tank for normally a liquid, valvevmounted in the tank, a lock mounted liquid-container, the holding devicebeing affected the force or gravity When-the tank is the valveand'thereloy preventing es- 1 cape of fluid. from the tank through thean automatically-closing outlet in the tank and having a key-hole thati's open onthe exteriorof the tank through which fluid may pass,connecting'means-operatively connectedwvith the lock and the outletvalve for normally holding the valve in open posltion, and acover forthe keyhole' of the lock operable on tlie exterior of the tank forpreventing the passage ot'fluid into or out of the tank. i

in presence of two Witnesses:

- GHAR'LEST. BUYER. WVitnesses: V e 1 E. T. SILVIUS, M. E. SPARn'oW.

Coniniissioner of Patents,

} v7o In testimony whereof, I afliX my signature

